Matthew

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

1When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee. He went into the area of Judea on the far side of the Jordan River.

2And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

2Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

3Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, "Is it allowed for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?"

Note"Put away" in the King James wording means to divorce. It is not about hiding or storing something away.

4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

4Jesus answered, "Haven't you read that the One who made people at the very beginning made them male and female?

5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

5God also said, 'That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.'

6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

6So they are not two people anymore. They are one. No one should split apart what God has joined together."

7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

7They asked him, "Then why did Moses tell a man to give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?"

8He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

8Jesus said, "Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not that way at the beginning.

9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

9I tell you this: anyone who divorces his wife and marries someone else is guilty of adultery. The only exception is unfaithfulness in the marriage. And whoever marries the woman who was divorced is also guilty of adultery."

10His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

10His disciples said to him, "If that is how it is between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

11But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

11Jesus said to them, "Not everyone can accept this teaching. Only those to whom God has given it can.

12For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

12Some men are born unable to have children. Others were made that way by people. And some choose to live without marrying for the sake of God's kingdom. Whoever can accept this should accept it."

NoteThe King James text uses the word "eunuch." That meant a man who could not father children, either from birth or because he was changed by others. Jesus then uses the word a third way, for people who choose not to marry.

13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

13Then people brought little children to Jesus so he could place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples told them to stop.

14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me. Do not stop them. God's kingdom belongs to people like these."

Note"Suffer little children" in old English means "allow the little children." It has nothing to do with pain. "Forbid them not" means "do not stop them."

15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

15He placed his hands on the children, and then he left that place.

16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

16A man came up to him and asked, "Good Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?"

17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

17Jesus said, "Why do you call me good? Only one is good, and that is God. But if you want to enter into life, obey the commandments."

18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

18The man asked, "Which ones?" Jesus answered, "Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about other people.

19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

19Honor your father and your mother. And love your neighbor as much as you love yourself."

20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

20The young man said, "I have kept all of these since I was a boy. What am I still missing?"

21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

21Jesus told him, "If you want to be complete, go and sell everything you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me."

22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

22When the young man heard that, he went away sad, because he owned a great deal.

23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth: it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

24I say it again. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom."

25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

25When the disciples heard this, they were amazed. They said, "Then who can be saved?"

26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

26Jesus looked at them and said, "For people this is impossible. But for God, everything is possible."

27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

27Then Peter said to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. So what will we get?"

28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

28Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth. When everything is made new, the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne. Then you who have followed me will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Note"The regeneration" is an old word for the time when God makes the whole world new again.

29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

29And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or land for my sake will get back a hundred times as much. They will also receive eternal life.

30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

30But many who are first now will be last, and many who are last will be first."